Early last year, officials at the Drexel needed space in the projection room to screen digital
movies, which are stored on discs or hard drives. The theater’s little-used 35 mm film-projection
system was removed.

However, many of Bartoo’s movies, trailers and commercials are on 35 mm film.

During his spring science-fiction movie marathon, Bartoo said, the difference was
noticeable.

“A lot of people felt it really suffered for the lack of access to my collection,” Bartoo said,
who noted that many of the movies he wanted to show are available only on film.

Bartoo and theater officials agreed to reinstall the equipment in time for the horror-movie
marathon in October.

“Part of the argument,” Bartoo said, “was my offering to do this show to pay for the
reinstallation.”

The cost wasn’t prohibitive: The Drexel still owned much of the gear but had to find the
platters — the large metal discs that serve as feed and take-up reels. Also, workers restoring the
equipment had to be paid.

“I don’t think it was a lot, because most of everything we still had,” said Rouch, who didn’t
know the exact dollar figure of the project. “We had to bring in some help, . . . but it was not
overwhelming for us, and it certainly was worthwhile.”

Bartoo is pleased to be playing a role in the preservation of what was, for years, the standard
of the movie- projection industry.

“It’s a century-old technology that’s being shunted aside because it’s a little bit cheaper to
do it . . . (digitally),” he said. “It’s sad to see how 35 mm is being forced out.”

And the Drexel benefits.

“He felt strongly about wanting to help us transition back to 35, and we gladly accepted his
help,” Rouch said. “We’re a nonprofit, and he was willing to donate the funds. We were happy to
accept.

“It really gives us some great versatility. There are some films that will never be
digitized."

The program will consist of three hours of movie trailers culled from Bartoo’s extensive
collection, plus a few commercials and concession-stand teasers.

Movie fans of a certain age might remember the commercials for Castleberry’s barbecue
sandwiches, with bright-red sauced meat spilling out of the softly browned bun.

But the film hasn’t aged gracefully.

“It’s turned color,” Bartoo said of the film. “It’s not exactly appetizing, but the audience has
developed a great affection for it over the years.”

He plans on screening about 75 trailers plugging mostly B movies — think more
Werewolveson Wheels and
The Green Slime than
Gone With the Wind and
Casablanca.

Bartoo hopes to attract viewers who have an interest in — but not the endurance for — his movie
marathons.

“I think a lot of people we scare away with a 24-hour program,” Bartoo said. “This is a good
taste. Other than the features, this is what we do.”

Bartoo’s love of the films is evident.

“If you know him, he has such a passion for the art form that he can make these trailer events
so entertaining,” Rouch said. “They’re very popular, and it’s a lot of fun whether you remember the
movies or not. These trailers were works of art themselves. It’s just a great show.”